Kansas City
9-10,5-5Summit League
Omaha
2-18,0-10Summit League
Lockdown Defense Leads Roos to Victory over Omaha
2/13/2021 9:52:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Kansas City held the Mavs without a field goal for a stretch of over 10 minutes in the second half
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Dominant defense down the stretch and a bounce-back game by Josiah Allick led the way for Kansas City Men's Basketball (9-10, 5-5) as it picked up a 55-47 win over Omaha (2-16, 0-10).
After scoring just two points in last night's victory, the Roos went to Allick early and often in the first half. He and Brandon McKissic teamed up for Kansas City's first nine field goals of the night, as the Roos jumped out to a 26-15 lead. Omaha closed the half on a 13-2 run, and the game was tied, 28-28 going into the half.
Coming out of halftime, the Mavericks continued their run from the end of the first. After a Zion Williams three-pointer put the Roos in front, Omaha took the lead and held onto it for the next 10 minutes.Â
At the 13:33 mark of the second half, Omaha scored a layup to take a 42-35 lead. Then, KC's defense took over. A pair of Mav free throws at the 10-minute mark made the score 45-40, but that was the last time Omaha would find the bucket for more than eight minutes. The Roos held the Mavericks scoreless until the 1:35 mark, forcing four turnovers and eight missed shots over the stretch.
Following a scoreless first half, Zion Williams put up eight points in the second. None were bigger than a three-pointer with the shot clock expiring to extend the Roos' lead to 49-45 with three minutes remaining.
In the final 1:16, Brandon McKissic went into takeover mode. He came out of an Omaha timeout and drove the lane to extend the lead to four. After the Mavs missed the front-end of a one-and-one, and with just 35 seconds remaining, McKissic took a pass from Williams near half court, went between his legs, hesitated and drilled a dagger three to ice the game.Â
Allick finished as the game-high player in points (21), rebounds (11) and assists (5). It was his fourth double-double on the year, and the sixth of his Kansas City career. McKissic followed up his career-high night with 17 points, adding five rebounds. Williams was the only other Roo above three points, finishing with eight to go along with seven rebounds.
The Roos move on to host Denver next weekend on Feb. 19 and 20. The games will be streamed on the Roo Sports Network.
